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“Hi. I wanted to see how you’re feeling. I’m so happy to see you’re up.” Lex shifts on her feet.
“Thanks. Take a seat.” I point to the chair my dad just vacated. “Do you want some coffee?”
“I’m good, thanks. How are you?” Her question is loaded with meaning.
“Better.” I frown, which makes my words unconvincing.
“Right. I’ve been better, too.“ She rolls her eyes. “If anyone is a pro at spotting heartbreak, it’s this girl.” She raises her hand.
I giggle and sigh, my shoulders slumping as I hide my face in my hands. I’m a contradiction of emotions, like an unreliable dam that will burst at the tiniest bit of pressure.
“Sage, Tristan told us the truth about everything.” Lex holds no judgment, just concern, in her voice.
I shake my head, keeping my face hidden.
“Hey, I’d like to think we’ve become friends.” She pulls one hand away. “I’m not judging.”
“I know you aren’t.” I finally look up at her. “I’m embarrassed, though. What kind of person takes on a deal like that?”
“Honestly, I would’ve done the same thing.” She shrugs unapologetically. “And I think it had a bigger purpose. I think you and Tristan were meant to get to know each other in a way that removed the pressure. Maybe without this, you wouldn’t have given him the time of day. He can be persistent, but he also had his dreams.” She smiles.
Her words resonate with me. I’ve thought about that, too.
“Has his dreams.”
“What?” She scrunches up her nose.
“You said he had his dreams. He still has them.”
Lex nods and then tilts her head from side to side.
“He does,” she nods. “But I think they’ve changed a bit.” Her smile brightens.
“I don’t want him changing his dreams because of me.” I shake my head, my words coming out harsher than intended.
“Hey, take a breath.” She places her hand on mine. “He didn’t change his dreams because of you. Dreams change as the person does. I’ve witnessed Tristan do a lot of growing up these past couple of months. I think being in Hartville has been good for him, but you’ve been the best thing that happened to him. I just wanted you to know that.” Her smile is genuine.
“This isn’t to pressure you to be with him, but I know all about feeling guilty when it comes to interfering in the Remington family. His parents aren’t worth it. Seeing how things with Hudson and I turned out and knowing Tristan, he’ll put up with less of their shiitake than Hudson did.”
I giggle at her creative word and sag into my chair, exhausted. I take a deep breath and look at Lex.
“I don’t want him to miss out on his dreams because I got in the way. Spread Joy needs to happen.”
“And it will,” she says confidently. “It may not happen exactly how Tristan planned, but nothing will stop him from fulfilling that.”
“I hope you’re right.” My lower lip juts out a bit.
“I’m always right.” She winks.
I laugh at her and shake my head.
“Just joking. I’m hardly right, but I know that you and Tristan have something special. His birthday is tomorrow, and I assume you won’t be at the party.”
I shake my head, lips trembling.
“I didn’t have a chance to order the balloons.” I don’t want his birthday to be ruined.
“I did it,” she says. “I figured when you got sick that you wouldn’t be able to do it, so I called Let’s Party and ordered the balloons to create your idea.”
